The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has banned Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych from competing in the men's skeleton event at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
The decision was made after Heraskevych refused to remove a special helmet featuring artwork depicting Ukrainian athletes killed during the Russian invasion. IOC president Kirsty Coventry visited Heraskevych and his father in Cortina to discuss the matter, but no compromise was reached. According to the BBC, the IOC cited rule 40.2 of the Olympic Charter, which states that athletes must enjoy freedom of expression in keeping with Olympic values.
The IOC's decision has drawn criticism from many former and current Olympic athletes, including Team GB's two-time Olympic skeleton gold medallist Lizzy Yarnold, who told the BBC that the IOC owes Heraskevych an apology. Heraskevych plans to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Background on the Decision
The IOC's athlete expression guidelines, determined in 2023, state that the focus at the Olympic Games must remain on athletes' performances, sport, and harmony. The guidelines allow athletes to express their views during Olympic Games when speaking to the media, on social media, and on the field of play at the start of competition or during their introduction.
However, the guidelines forbid expressions during medal ceremonies, during competition, and in the Olympic village. The IOC said that if they allowed athletes to wear kit commemorating those killed in war, it would open the Games to exploitation.
Reaction to the Decision
Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky accused the IOC of "playing into the hands of the Russian aggressor" after Heraskevych's disqualification. Heraskevych's international team mates showed their support throughout Thursday's competition in Italy, with alpine skier Dmytro Shepiuk displaying a note reading "Ukrainian heroes with us" and luger Olena Smaha voicing support for Heraskevych wearing a glove reading: "Remembrance is not a violation".
Next Steps
Heraskevych's appeal to the CAS could be held within hours of the ban. The IOC has also reinstated Heraskevych's accreditation, allowing him to stay around the Games and in the Olympic village for the remainder of the competition.
